Trey Smith is well aware of the hard work ahead with Eric Bieniemy back in the building. He's also very excited to get to it.
As the Kansas City Chiefs attempt to rebound from a disastrous season, one that featured a preseason Super Bowl favorite collapsing to six total victories and a third-place AFC West finish, they're shaking things up in all aspects. That includes bringing back Bieniemy as part of a coaching staff overhaul by Andy Reid.
Bieniemy is now in place as the team's new offensive coordinator, following the departure of Matt Nagy to the New York Giants. Bieniemy is already a familiar face to those who were with the team before the 2023 season, which is when he left to become the OC for Ron Rivera and the Washington Commanders. That means veterans like Smith can speak first-hand of their experiences learning from him.
Appearing in an interview with Jason Anderson from 810 Sports on Radio Row before Super Bowl LX, Smith was asked about his thoughts on Bieniemy's return to Kansas City. He immediately referenced the intense demands placed on his players and how helpful they are for personal growth.
"When I think of EB, I think about the first day of training camp at St. Joe's and that 90-degree weather, deep humidity in the morning, and just doing drills, man. He's just barking, just getting after guys. For me, it's more so like EB is almost a mindset and mentality finish. Introduce yourself. At the end of the day, we're presenting that we're going to be the aggressors. We're going to be physical. We're out here to dominate. We're not here to mess around. This is business. We're getting after you single play until the whistle blows, you know?
Eric Bieniemy's return has players hungry for his accountable approach, but Trey Smith says the intensity is going to be hard for some.
"That's what's super exciting about him. That's just what he brings. That's who he was as a player. That's who he is as a man, very detail-oriented as well. It's just really exciting. Coach EB is a guy that I have so much respect for and admiration [for], and just really excited to have him back," said Smith.
Smith admitted that he knew Bieniemy's style might be a real difficulty for some players, but that spark is exactly what the Chiefs were missing over the last couple of years. From tight end Travis Kelce to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, players have stated that they're craving the accountability that Bieniemy brings to the organization. Smith is among those admirers.
"For sure. I mean, people don't like getting yelled at at times, but at the end of the day, with coach EB, you've got to understand he's doing that with a purpose. He wants to see you be great. He knows the potential, and he's trying to get the best out of you. And if he feels that you're falling short of that potential and that area that you can improve on, he's going to let you know. For me, I'd rather be held accountable in those situations than to just coast by and my coach not tell me a freaking thing.
"It's just hard coaching. Maybe it's cause I played in the SEC, so I'm used to a little bit of hard coaching at times, but I love it. His intensity is one of the most unique traits. At the end of the day, you just have to understand he's doing that because he wants to see you succeed. He wants to see you be the best you can be."